Knights rebound with win over Stars

ANCHORAGE — The Colony Knights had their sites set on a trip to the state championship game. But that journey was cut short early on Wednesday when the second-seeded Knights were upset 1-0 by the seventh seed Wasilla Warriors.

Now traveling in a different direction on the state tournament bracket, the Knights are still aiming to go as far as they can.

“If the best we can do is fourth, that’s what we’re going to do,” Colony head coach Jeremy Johnson said.

Now, thanks to a 2-0 win over Soldotna in the consolation semifinals of the ASAA/First National Bank State Soccer Championships at Anchorage Football Stadium on Thursday morning, the Knights are in a position to cap the season with a fourth-place finish at the state tourney.

Seniors Bridger Van Ness and Jess McKee scored to help move the Knights into the tournament’s fourth-place game, which is slated for 10 a.m. Saturday at AFS.

Although the Knights still may be disappointed about the first-round loss to Wasilla, Johnson said Colony still has the chance to end the season with a pair of wins.

“If we have a game to play, we’re going to go out and try to win the game,” Johnson said. “If we can get fourth, we might as well take fourth.”

Van Ness gave the Knights the 1-0 lead, when he knocked the rebound off his own penalty kick past Soldotna senior goalkeeper Daniel Geller during the 38th minute.

After sophomore James Meaney was fouled inside the box, Van Ness took the penalty kick, which was knocked off the hands of Geller. VanNess quickly drilled the rebound into the back of the net for a score.

Late in the game, McKee took advantage of another Geller bobble to put the Knights up by two scores.

Senior Collin Murphy sent a long throw-in from the sideline to the box. Geller reached up to make the save, but mishandled the ball. McKee was there to knock it in.

“It was a good hard work Jess McKee goal,” Johnson said. “The exact goal we have him out there for.”

Colony, which won ASAA’s first sanctioned state boys soccer championships in 2000, could finish fourth for the third time in program history on Saturday. The Knights also finished fourth in 2002 and 2006.

Colony’s opponent will be determined today in the last of the two consolation semifinal games.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.